Posted By Allison Logano on August 01, 2024
You probably don’t need a news headline to tell you it’s (yet again) the hottest summer ever — just step outside your front door. Extreme heat is sweeping across the globe, affecting everything from daily commutes to global agriculture and fine dining. But while these record-setting highs are dangerous and destructive, tech innovation and opportunities for businesses are heating up in response.
The Hottest Day on Earth
According to data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, this June was the 13th consecutive month to break a global heat record. Throughout July, excessively high temps took over most of the U.S., with 27 states issuing heat advisory warnings, and July 22 set a new record for the hottest day ever on Earth.
The heat wave took down important infrastructure including commuter rail lines and air travel and put more than 100 million Americans in danger. Defined as temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days, excessive heat is the deadliest extreme weather event, killing more people than any other natural disaster. The United Nations has labeled the soaring temperatures an “extreme heat epidemic” and called on countries to address the increased threat to human life before it’s too late.
A New, Unprecedented Normal
These extreme highs are setting a new, much hotter standard, and efforts are being made to prepare accordingly for steamier summers ahead. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is attempting to pass the first-ever major regulation aimed at preventing heat-related illness and deaths on the job. The ruling could protect 35 million workers nationwide with mandatory breaks, access to water, and health monitoring. In addition to saving lives, better heat standards could also save businesses money — extreme heat is estimated to cost the U.S. economy $100 billion annually.
On a very different kind of jobsite, Olympians have spent weeks “heat training” to prepare to compete in the hottest Games yet. A weather phenomenon dubbed a “heat dome” is currently looming over the Olympic village, which has been outfitted with emergency air conditioning units to protect the athletes.
But heat itself is not the only threat. This wildfire season is demonstrating how extreme heat can also worsen other natural disasters like fires, making them both more intense and more frequent. Insurers are taking notice, pulling back on their fire coverage and pushing for better fireproofing standards on landscaping, fencing, and building materials.
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Hot Opportunities
Businesses across industries are also adjusting to the heat, with some striking while the temps are hot to explore emerging opportunities. With new challenges come new solutions, and unprecedented temperatures provide a chance to innovate. As extreme heat prevention becomes less viable, the market is ripe for a new kind of climate tech that addresses the symptoms of enduring high temperatures. For example, window air conditioners are getting their glow-up with an increase in stylish and sustainable (and usually pricey) units. Other global innovations include heat-releasing clothes, UV and heat-blocking parasols, and materials made to protect crops while still letting in the necessary heat and light for plant growth.
Addressing the new realities of our hotter planet could also mean rethinking entire infrastructure systems and industry practices. Right now, no idea is too out there when it comes to preventing further potentially catastrophic temperatures. For instance, data centers used to power AI and other applications are commanding vast amounts of electricity, and as investment continues, the demand is only increasing. By 2030, researchers estimate that data centers could consume up to 9% of all U.S. electricity use. Maybe putting data centers in space is the solution to reducing the centers’ massive energy demands and heat-inducing carbon footprint?
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire
While past innovations in the climate space have mostly focused on minimizing carbon emissions and preventing climate-change induced natural disasters, for many, the disaster is already here. Organizations will now also be judged on how they choose to react. As record-setting temperatures cause repeated crises across the globe, any company could be caught in the crosshairs. Businesses need to be prepared, no matter the industry. But it’s not all doom and gloom — as temperatures soar, so do the opportunities to innovate and address the new, pressing demands of our changing climate.
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